Statement of Governor Kaine on the Scheduled Execution of Dexter Lee Vinson

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine issued the following statement tonight on the scheduled execution of Dexter Lee Vinson by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“On December 7, 1998, Dexter Lee Vinson was found guilty of the capital murder of Angela Felton, object sexual penetration, abduction with an intent to defile, and carjacking.  In a separate sentencing proceeding, the jury sentenced Vinson to death on the capital murder conviction.  The trial, verdict, and sentence have been reviewed in detail by various state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Supreme Court of the United States.

“Having carefully reviewed the Petition for Clemency and judicial opinions regarding this case, I find no compelling reasons to doubt Mr. Vinson’s guilt or to invalidate the sentence recommended by the jury and imposed, and affirmed, by the courts. 

“Accordingly, I decline to intervene.”

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